The Ketchum keystone. [volume] (Ketchum, Idaho) 1885-1899, 1887-01-15

Kitty had been to the charity ball,
and the charity ball was very fashion
able; there was no doubt about that
Kitty had eaten late supper. returned
home, gone to bed and to sleep; there
was no more doubt about that She
recoliected distinctly throwing one shoe
under the bed and the other into cor
ner. saying Goodnight" to her own
figure in the looklng-glass. twisting the
figure of a butterfly till her fingers
ached before she discovered that it was
not in the gas-stopper. and then laugh
ing sleepily Mt all her mistakes. She
even remembered the first dream of her
sleep. which was something about
charity diamonds. chickcn-salad lam
ciers. and ice-cream walizcs.
No, there was no doubt that she had
gone through all this; yet there she was,
staring in at the window Of the great
ballroom. and the ball was just COM
menc;ng. Could she have gone to
sleep on the windowsill i'm some mys-
terious manner? No. she was outside.
and standing in the air with somebody
holding her hand.
20. dear." thought Kitty. mournfully.
al must have drank some wine, some
now. How strange it is! l wonder
how / came here? Bat what a cold
hand holds mine; it's not papa's, for it
makes me shiver. He must be horrid.
won't look at him. So!
There did not seem to be much need
of the resolve. however. for the person
who held her hand did not move nor
seem 10 care whether she saw him or
not. but quietly looked in with her. So
at last. like most girls. Kitlys curiosity
got the better OF her. and she glanced
out of the corners OF her eyes.
Beside her she saw an old man. His
beard and hair were long and white.
and dropped about his neck and
shoulders like falling snow. Upon his
head was lightly placed a crown. as Of
SO delicate was its texture
Robes long and dark. and cold TO look
al, fell IN broad folds from his shoul-
ders and were held to his waist by
girdle of twinkling stars He was
gazing in at the brilliant assemblage
with u sad, melancholy look upon his
face.
Kitty looked at his robes. "How very
old-fashioned!" she thought; 'and aged,
very agedr'
Yes" murmured the old man, "old
very old"
Kitty started. He read her thoughts
evidently. She was sorry now she mad
thought it. he looked so sad.
"Wbo are you?" asked Kitty. timid-
|y, land why nave you brought mo
herc?'
Il am the Cold Night" said the old
man. slowly turning his eyes toward
her His eyes were sharp and piercing.
yet full of kindness. land l have
brought you here that you might see
how great your charity is. for heard
his was a charity bail"
"Yes," said Kitty, nervously.
IL am friend to the poor" con-
inued the Cold Night. ''and l love to
zee charity" He looked back into the
ballroom as he spoke. You see all
;our friends hcre?"
Yes" said Kitty. Frightening up and
gazing inside with something OF
proud look.
There's ylorry Hall right before the
window now. She has those beautiful
solitaire diamonds in her ears. u,
lear. how bright they look! ! wish l
lad them"
but you have the handsomest dress"
aid the Cold Night, sadly.
%. yes" exclaimed Kitty. quickly.
1T was of the richest silk. aud cost
several hundred dollars. Papa was 50
Kind"
"And it was bought for charityP" ask
ID the Cold Night.
"Why no." answered kitty in sur
,rise. ''for me. of course"
'But the ball is for charity?"
Kitty began to be bewildered by so
much catechising. and she was much
elieved when he led her away.
They descended to the grand en-
rance. where he pointed out two little
,eggars. boy and girl, who iiddIed
md sang. and asked a penny Of the
ich people descending from the car
iagcs.
.'You passed them BY tonight"
eSs HUiU Aattys uut suCy WCAO
'orrid beggars. The Cold Night was
ilent and Kitty thought she mig int
ave said something wrong. SO she
dded: ..And common street fiddlcrs.
,ut the Cold Night said nothing.
They both watched the little duo.
'1osey and Tibby," the Cold Night
aid. and drew nearer to hear what they
sould say. People, rich in money and
,reat in charity. carefully passed them
y. for they were ragged begears and
ddled and sang. Ii was cold. very
old; and Tosey played very. very slow
'. while the breath of Tibby's quiver-
ng plant disappeared despairingly In
he frosty air. The wheels Of the car
lages seemed to creak in sympathy. -
hey crushed down the snow. Yee; i
vas cold indeed. yet they fiddled and
ang untiringly while the rich people
lighted and passed PIP tho grand en-
rance. after glancing contemptuously
t the poor little duo who 6ddled and
ang as the brilliant dresses disappear-
d In tho distant doorway, bat finally